Mares Drysuits?

[nivla80]

Been looking around for DS.. Just moved to Oregon, and will be expecting to do a fair amount of cold water diving.

I was lookin at the Mares line of DS, and was just wondering if anyone had experiences diving them, and also, if the Mares/Mobbys Dry Fit 3.5 Drysuit is sufficient for the water temperatues here, with a good high end undergarment of course...

Also, Ive heard of crushed Neoprene, but High Density Neoprene? And what about the Mares Ice Fit 4.0 Drysuit?

Thanks all for your kind input!

 

[Zak OHara]

nivla,

Welcome to Oregon! As of early 2007 Mares has partnered with long time drysuit maker Mobby's to make 3 models of suit for Mares worldwide distribution. Mobbys makes an excellent product with some innovative material and technology. Since our distribution of these suits is relatively new, it may be hard to find a lot of feedback. I am going to try and attach some information re: the suits.

All of the suits are suitable for diving in the NW with the appropriate undergarments. The Dryfit suit as you now is 3.5mm, the big difference between this and the Ice fit is the following.

• Icefit has a hard soled boot / Dryfit is soft neoprene sock w/ grip sole
• Icefit is much more anatomically fit / mens and womens
• Icefit has extra layer of webtex plush on inside for greater comfort and warmth
• Dry fit is more generically cut / Icefit is an anatomical cut w/ greater styling

The high density dyna-wave compressed neoprene is a proprietary Mobbys technology. This high density material allows for the following.

• Compressed to the point of achieving maximum flexibility, yet increased durability. The more dense the neoprene is the greater durability, the compromise is it becomes less flexible. This is the best compromise between the two.
• Due to high density compression, it is more durable to pinholes and will greatly reduce the chance of water entering.
• Reduced bouyancy, allowing for less weight to counteract inherent bouyancy.

We also offer the Polar Fit which is a "shell" type suit. This is a great self donning shell suit. The Polar Fit has a couple of proprietary technologies as well.

• CAP material (Tri-laminate)*It is new three layers ”CAP”(Ceramics-Aluminum-Polyvinyl Chloride) system.
  
  The CAP consisting of a tri-laminate high-technology “Bio-Ceramics”, Aluminum compound and PVC, creates unparalleled heat retention in drysuits diving. Laminated to durable Nylon fabric, this Bio-Ceramics composite is comprised of some inorganic and oxidized metals, utilizing the properties of “far-infrared” radiation of heat. Absorbing and re-radiating heat from your body, it also radiates far-infrared from itself to warm the body surface. It then infiltrates through the body by the means of thermal transfer to “resonate” the water, cells and other organic matter in your body to create heat. In other words, Bio-Ceramics and the human body mutually repeat radiation and absorption to warm the body from inside out, raise skin temperatures, expand thin blood vessels, and to facilitate blood circulation.
  The tri-laminate is complete through the use of bio-ceramics compound to the outside of the Nylon fabric, while an Aluminum compound laminated to the outside of bio-ceramics compound. Lamination occurs with the use of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), and to create the airtight integrity of the shell.
  The Aluminum compound or mixture is used to direct the body heat and infrared to the skin surface, while at the same time reflect cold water temperature away from the body.
  It also assists in reducing mildew and odors caused by biological growth while stored.​
• Unique front entry self donning. This affords the diver easy entry, less stress on the zipper and still maintain a relatively low profile especially for a "shell" type suit.​

All suits come with a Dry Bag for storage, suspenders, and a LP inflation hose. We also offer many accessories to go with the suits from gloves, hoods, to glue on pockets. We also offer 2 models of undergarments. A 200 and 400 weight garment.

For the price vs features and benefits, I think you will have a hard time finding a better product. I hope this helps you in figuring out which direction to go.
​

P.S. I tried to upload a powerpoint with bullets and images, but the file is too big. If anyone would like a copy, feel free to pm your email and I'll forward via email.​

Sincerely, ​